Chapter Three
Even after hours of shopping alongside Cairo and Kylo, Rhodes’ insides still shook.
Too much had happened too quickly. He adored Cairo’s smile.
His bright blue eyes swam with happiness, and Rhodes needed him to stay that way.
Occasionally, a too-loud voice or noise would send Cairo scurrying beneath Rhodes’ arm.
Rhodes’ protective personality and his possessiveness kicked in every time.
The possessive part didn’t make sense, honestly.
They didn’t know each other. Maybe Rhodes would be the one who wanted out.
At the thought, his gaze automatically latched onto Cairo.
As if he felt Rhodes’ stare, Cairo’s head turned. His innocent persona slipped. Cairo visibly undressed Rhodes with his eyes. The hair on Rhodes’ arms stood. Yeah. The lust between them was real. Rhodes doubted he would tire of that.
However, the truth still loomed on the horizon.
He knew all the way to his soul this budding new thing between them was temporary.
Cairo didn’t see it yet. He was blinded by relief.
One day, probably sooner rather than later, Cairo would realize this second chance at life was one hundred percent real.
When that happened, he would look around and see the bars of his cage.
It was inevitable. When that time came, as long as Cairo didn’t leave the family, Rhodes would set him free.
Just the idea of watching Cairo look at someone else the way he did Rhodes had Rhodes’ hands itching to squeeze the life from a hypothetical man.
But Rhodes wouldn’t do that when that day came.
He would let Cairo embrace life the way he deserved—the way that had been stripped from him by Hugh. Rhodes felt sick.
Cairo headed his way, rubbing the sleeve of a fuzzy jacket against his cheek. “Feel this one.”
Rhodes did his best to hide his black thoughts. He touched the sleeve. It felt like petting a rabbit. “That’s not rabbit fur, is it?”
A horrified look passed over Cairo’s face. “Oh, no.” He checked the tag. Rhodes practically felt Cairo’s relief. “Thank goodness. It’s faux rabbit fur. I hate people who kill innocent things just because they can or think they can profit from being cruel.”
Rhodes knew Cairo meant more than bunnies. The injustice practically dripped from him. Rhodes’ chest tightened. He didn’t know how to take away the demons in Cairo’s head.
He took the jacket from Cairo. “I’ll hang on to this. Go pick out whatever you want.”
Cairo chewed his bottom lip for a second. His precious-looking eyes slid away from Rhodes’ stare. “I don’t have any money. You’ve already bought me all the clothes I need to survive. I feel bad enough for being a burden. You—”
Rhodes ran his finger along Cairo’s jawline, enticing his focus back to Rhodes’ eyes.
He needed Cairo to understand his place in Rhodes’ life.
“You chose me to take care of you. That means I provide everything. Not just necessities, but everything. Get as much or as little as you genuinely want. I can more than afford it.” While Beau taking Rhodes in had bought Rhodes’ loyalty, the astronomical amount of money Beau paid him sealed the deal on Rhodes’ place on Beau’s team.
That was without even mentioning the free room and board, access to any car he needed on property, and lavish gifts he received.
Truthfully, Beau had rendered paying him damn near useless, so yeah.
There was less than zero chance Cairo would break his bank.
Cairo chewed his bottom lip again. He shifted from foot to foot. Rhodes couldn’t take it. He kissed Cairo, stopping the nervous tic. Cairo took a shaky-sounding breath and Rhodes knew he had won.
While cupping Cairo’s cheek, Rhodes dragged his thumb across Cairo’s bottom lip. “Go find more things that make you happy. I’ve got you.”
Cairo slowly nodded. “Okay.” The response was little more than a whisper and sounded sweet as hell.
Rhodes’ fought the evil smile that threatened to ruin everything. “That’s my boy.”
Cairo returned to Kylo’s side.
Rhodes’ ego swelled. Yeah, they were still likely temporary, but Rhodes wouldn’t shun the opportunity set in his path. Cairo needed a daddy. Rhodes wanted the job.
Cairo smiled and laughed more in one day than he ever had before in his life.
Kylo was different than anyone Cairo had ever met.
He was a free spirit. If Kylo felt like dancing in the middle of the store, he did.
If he wanted to wear two different-colored shoes and bows in his hair, he did.
Everyone smiled when he was around. While Cairo knew he would never feel as free as Kylo, he envied him.
He was self-aware. Cairo knew there were parts of him that wouldn’t heal.
That was okay. Rhodes looked at him like there was no one he wanted more. That was the balm he needed.
Cairo had tried to be as frugal as possible.
He hadn’t owned a lot at Hugh’s. Cairo was accustomed to going without.
He could make three cheap outfits work. Rhodes had already surpassed that by a mile.
Cairo had lost track of what he had been given.
It made him feel awkward. They didn’t know each other that well yet.
Maybe all the gifts came with strings. Horrible strings.
Every time Cairo had pointed out discount stores, everyone had ignored him and headed inside places that had guards blocking the door.
It was as if everyone they encountered already knew Kylo and his bodyguards.
Kylo always stopped and talked to the guards and asked about their families.
He was kind. He made Cairo feel lacking in every way.
Kylo was so many things. He seemed very adult at times.
Steady. Strong. Cairo doubted he would ever be those things.
Warm lips touched his nape, making Cairo realize he had been staring at his feet while Kylo shopped. He didn’t want to look around. Cairo was scared to want more. Goosebumps skirted his skin as those lips brushed him again.
“Why are you sad?”
Cairo’s head shot up. He immediately turned.
Cairo couldn’t let Rhodes think that. “I’m not.
” As the denial left his lips, Cairo realized he would have to admit his feelings.
Otherwise, Rhodes wouldn’t believe him. Heat rushed to his face.
Being a penniless slave was humiliating.
Cairo didn’t know how to be anything else.
“I know you told me to pick out whatever I want. It’s harder than I expected. The more I have, the more I have to lose.” It hit Cairo. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that. It was possible Rhodes would punish him for disobeying. A knot formed in his stomach. He braced himself.
Rhodes kissed him.
Cairo still didn’t relax. Kisses could be tricks sometimes. Rhodes was close enough to hurt him.
“Come with me.” Rhodes took his hand. He motioned toward Kylo’s guards, Mickey and Edge. Then he made another hand gesture Cairo didn’t understand.
Cairo’s pulse pounded in his ears. He understood what being pulled aside meant.
Cairo tried his ass off not to hyperventilate.
Then a bright store came into view. Everything was bubbly.
Cairo forgot his fear. He tried looking in every direction at once.
Cairo had been so lost in his fear, he hadn’t realized a second guard followed on their heels.
Rhodes headed inside the colorful business.
There were toys and costumes for all age groups.
Technically, they were squishy character pajamas, but he was certain the store advertised them as costumes.
Rhodes didn’t wait for Cairo to explode with excitement. He grabbed a floppy stuffed dog and handed it to Cairo. “Take this.”
Cairo’s fingers automatically closed around the dog’s foot. He couldn’t contain his joy a second longer. A small squeak escaped him. “It’s so soft.” He hugged the dog against his chest.
Rhodes turned down an aisle. Cairo followed, walking slowly. He didn’t know if he was supposed to follow. Rhodes grabbed a building block set and a really cool racetrack. He held them up. “Do you like race cars or building things? Both?”
“Race cars.” Even Cairo heard the reluctance in his voice. He had no idea what was happening or how he was meant to respond.
Rhodes tucked the track under his arm and grabbed a few cars.
“I can carry those.”
Cairo nearly jumped out of his skin at the man’s voice behind him. Once again, Cairo never got to go places. He wasn’t used to having bodyguards surrounding him.
Rhodes passed the toys to the guy behind Cairo. His sexy eyes focused on Cairo. “What’s your favorite toy?”
Cairo shrugged. “Until Banks took me in, I never had any.”
Thankfully, Rhodes didn’t seem to judge him. “Was there anything at The PlayPen you liked the most?”
“Puzzles.”
Rhodes gave him a sharp nod and took his hand.
Together, they found the puzzles. Rhodes picked up some baby puzzles.
Cairo eyed the big boy puzzles with longing.
He liked the pretty ones that let him forget for a while.
When his mind was focused on digging through the pieces, he didn’t have to think.
Rhodes put the baby puzzle back. He moved to Cairo’s side. He pointed at a movie-themed box. “I like that one.”
Cairo’s gaze shot to Rhodes. “You do puzzles too?”
While still perusing the different designs, Rhodes didn’t look his way. “Yeah. It’s soothing, but I don’t like them any smaller than five hundred pieces.”
Cairo nodded. “Those are too easy. But I don’t like anything more than fifteen hundred pieces.”
Rhodes nodded. “Once they get too big, trying to find the pieces you need becomes more of an exercise in frustration. It’s supposed to relieve stress not cause it.”
Cairo felt a connection fall into place. He liked Rhodes. Cairo didn’t feel as alone as usual. He picked up a box with a dragon on it. “I like this one too.”
Rhodes held his stare. “We should get both, don’t you think?”
Knowing Rhodes wanted to play too eased the weight on his chest, setting him free. “Maybe we put the racetrack back and get the one that looks like a bowl of candy too.”
Rhodes’ sweet, genuine smile had Cairo falling under his spell. “You can get the racetrack too, or do you not really want the racetrack? You can be honest. I want to know the real you.”
He didn’t, but Cairo got the gist of his claim. “I like puzzles better than toys. They make me feel like a big boy.”
While Rhodes didn’t exactly eye him for too long, Cairo got the feeling his confession unlocked some knowledge inside Rhodes. If so, he didn’t share. His gaze moved over Cairo’s shoulder. “Do you mind putting those back?”
“On it.”
Rhodes’ gaze moved back to hold his stare. “What about the dog? Does he make you feel too little?”
Cairo looked down at the dog. He still had it crushed against him. No matter what he tried, Cairo couldn’t force his arms to let go. “He’s a good dog.” Even Cairo heard the way his voice broke. He didn’t want to leave the dog behind.
Rhodes set the puzzles they had chosen aside and crowded Cairo’s space.
Cairo didn’t try to get away. He wasn’t scared.
Rhodes' expression didn’t scream anger. His expression was something totally different.
Cairo didn’t know what he saw, but he liked the way Rhodes made him feel.
He cupped Cairo’s face and kissed the tip of his nose.
“If anyone tries to take that dog from you, I’ll kill them. ”
He would. Cairo heard the truth behind every word. “Thank you.” He couldn’t speak above a whisper. Cairo couldn’t let anyone else see how safe Rhodes made him feel. Maybe they would try to take him away.
“Come on, guys. We’re getting ice cream.”
Cairo’s ears perked up. He looked Kylo’s way. “There’s ice cream?”
Kylo spun in place as if he tried to make himself dizzy. “Yep. I just have to make sure I don’t accidentally get anything soy. That almost killed me once.”
Kylo stopped spinning. He didn’t look disoriented at all. “On the other hand, Daddy stayed in bed with me afterward.”
“Don’t even think about it,” Mickey growled behind.
Kylo winked and walked away. For the very first time in his life, Cairo dared to hope.